The Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty

Given the biological complexity and heterogeneity of the aging process, the emerging field of various -omics research can play an important role in providing important insights into the aging process and many age-related diseases. The major goal of this program is to assist in the development of the careers of early career investigators committed to pursuing careers in the field of aging research and ger-omics, –omics research focused on aging and/or age-related disease research in particular.

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award will provide up to $160,000 for a one- to two-year award to junior faculty (MDs and PhDs) to conduct aging-related -omics research. Research areas supported include, but are not limited to:

• Genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and methylomics (and other areas of -omics research) that focus on biological versus chronological aging in animals and humans.
• Comparative -omics in animals with different life spans.
• Omics of aging-related interventions and therapeutics.

It is anticipated that one grant of up to $160,000 will be awarded in 2026. Applicants may propose to use the award over the course of one or two years as justified by the proposed research. Up to 8% of funds may be budgeted for overhead or indirect costs (not to exceed $11,852). Funding will begin July 1, 2026.

To be eligible, the applicant must be:

• An independent investigator with independent research space at institutions as described in a form completed by the Dean or Department Chair,
• No more than 10 years beyond start of postdoctoral research training as of July 1, 2026. Exceptions to the ten-year rule may be considered for certain life events (e.g. familial, personal commitments or other exceptional circumstances) and may be requested by emailing an explanation with your NIH-style biosketch to AFAR at grants@afar.org at least one week prior to the deadline date. COVID-related requests are not considered.

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award does not provide support for:

• Postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of a senior investigator
• Investigators who have received major extramural funding for research in any area as a PI or Co-PI (not Co-I) - such as an NIH DP1, DP2, DP5, R01, R37, R56, RF1, RL1, U01 and R35 or VA Merit Award - prior to and including the start date of this award (applicants may hold K, K99/R00 or R21 funding or NSF funding provided direct costs do not exceed $200,000 a year)
• Senior faculty, i.e. at the rank of Associate Professor level or higher
• Former recipients of the Sagol Network GerOmic Award, the AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research (GFMR) Grants for Junior Faculty
• Applicants cannot also apply for the 2026 AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty and the GFMR Grants for Junior Faculty, or the GFMR Discovery Award. Applications for this program will be considered for the Grants for Junior Faculty if deemed competitive.
  
• Applicants who are conducting research at a for-profit institution, or at an institution outside of the United States
• Alzheimer's Disease and/or related dementias research (consider applying instead to the Small Research Grant Program for the Next Generation of Researchers in Alzheimer's Disease)

Four criteria are used to determine the merit of an application:

• Qualifications and research record of the applicant
• Quality of the proposed research as it relates to the field of ger-omics
• Excellence of the research environment
• Likelihood that the project will advance the applicant's career in aging research.

Please refer to the LOI instructions. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. All Letters of Intent must be uploaded here. Institutional Commitment forms must be submitted via email to afarapplication@afar.org.

The Letters of Intent will be reviewed by a committee. A subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full application which will be reviewed by a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee’s recommendations will be presented to AFAR which will make final funding decisions.

Please review this link which includes suggestions for submitting an LOI or application to AFAR. Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you are using animals in your research, we strongly encourage you to review Guidelines for Aging Rodent Research.

AFAR will not provide reviewer critiques to any applicants at any review level.

LOI deadline: December 15, 2025

Results LOI review: Mid-March 2026

Deadline full application: Late April 2026

Award Announcement: Mid-June 2026

Award Start Date: July 1, 2026

Final narrative and financial reports are required within three months following the end date of the award. Guidelines for submitting reports as well as other administrative questions can be found here.

The award recipient is expected to attend the AFAR Grantee Conference which convenes AFAR grant recipients, mentors and leaders in the field to review and disseminate the research progress of the grantees and their findings. The meeting encourages networking, facilitates collaborations, and enhances the development of leadership.